Primary Text Cunningham, William P. and Mary Ann, Environmental Science: A Global Concern, 13 th Edition McGraw-Hill Education

Transcription

1 AP Environmental Science Course Syllabus Instructor: Deborah Gallagher Hamilton High School West Primary Text Cunningham, William P. and Mary Ann, Environmental Science: A Global Concern, 13 th Edition McGraw-Hill Education Supplemental Text Friedland and Relyea, Environmental Science for AP Second Edition W.H. Freeman and Company Lab Manuals Molnar, William. Lab Investigations: AP Environmental Science. The People s Publishing Group, Inc, Roa, Michael. Environmental Science Activities Kit. Wiley & Sons, Course Description AP Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary course designed to be the equivalent of a onesemester introductory college course. Some of the major themes discussed include biochemical cycles, ecology, health, human population, energy sources and consumption, pollution and agriculture. Students will be provided with the underlying principles and methodologies required to rigorously examine these issues, investigate alternative solutions to both natural and man-made environmental issues, and weigh relative risks associated with these problems. Research, fieldwork and laboratory experimentation will be utilized. Students will be prepared to take the AP Environmental Science test offered by the College Board in May. The classroom is equipped with twelve student computers with internet access. There is a set of twenty four laptop computers available for use. The classroom is equipped with standard laboratory and safety equipment, including glassware, mass balances and access to microscopes. Students will also have use of several Vernier sensors and probes. The school is located near wooded areas, a small pond, a raingarden, and fields, with access for outdoor studies. Students are required to read and outline information prior to class. Class time will be used to explore topics more deeply, clarify information, and explore topics quantitatively and qualitatively. Questions related to the textbook reading as well as other articles are assigned regularly. Quizzes are given periodically. Students will be engaged in laboratory and/or field work at least one class period per week. Students are required to keep a lab notebook. Formal lab reports will be assigned, as well as research projects that include oral and written presentation. Unit tests will consist of multiple choice and free response questions. There will be a midterm exam at the end of January, and a final exam in June. Homework May include, but is not limited to:

2 Reading the textbook and answering questions on current unit content Reviewing lecture notes (MS Power Point or other) Reading articles or case studies Pre-unit vocabulary Lab write-ups or reports Essays Creating or analyzing graphs or charts Course Outline Unit I Introduction to Environmental Science 2 weeks Lab Safety Review Resource Use and Waste (ecological footprint, Tragedy of the Commons) History of Environmental Science (protection philosophies, conservation vs. preservation) Principles of Science and Systems (scientific method, consensus and conflict) Reading assignments and questions Class Discussion The Tragedy of the Commons Goldfish Activity Ecological Footprint Calculator Interpretation of Graphs Unit II The Living World 4 weeks Ecosystem Structure (hierarchy, niches, interactions, keystone species, biomes) Energy Flow (photosynthesis/cellular respiration, food chains/webs, ecological pyramids) Ecosystem Diversity (biodiversity, natural selection, evolution) Natural Ecosystem Change (species movement, ecological succession) Reading assignments and questions Class Discussion Exploring Biodiversity Shannon-Weiner Index lab Primary Production lab Predator-Prey Activity Invasive Species Activity Interpretation of Graphs Unit III Earth Systems and Resources 3 weeks Biogeochemical Cycles (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, conservation of matter) Earth Science (geologic time scale, plate tectonics, seasons) Atmosphere (composition, structure, weather and climate) Global Water Resources and Use Soil and Soil Dynamics (rock cycle, soil types, erosion, conservation)

3 Reading assignments and questions Class Discussion Plate Tectonics Lab Nitrogen Cycle Game Interpretation of Graphs Unit IV Population 3 weeks Population Biology Concepts (carrying capacity, reproductive strategies, survivorship) Human Population (historical sizes, distribution, fertility rates, transition, age structure) Reading assignments and questions Class Discussion World Population Demographic lab Doubling time calculation activity Video and questions: Nova: World in the Balance Interpretation of Graphs Unit V Land and Water Use 3 weeks Agriculture (food, nutritional requirements, Green Revolution, genetic engineering, sustainable agriculture, deforestation, pest control methods/pesticides) Forestry (tree plantations, old-growth forests, management, national forests Rangelands (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification, federal rangelands) Other Land Use (urbanization, suburban sprawl, infrastructure, public/federal lands, wetlands, conservation options, sustainable land use strategies) Mining (mineral formation, extraction, reserves, laws/treaties) Fishing (overfishing, bycatch, laws/treaties) Global Economics (globalization, world bank, laws/treaties) Reading assignments and questions Class Discussion Estimating Soil Texture lab Water We Going to Do? Activity Video and questions: Can the Oceans Keep up with the Hunt? Video and questions: Food Inc. Interpretation of Graphs Unit VI Energy Resources and Consumption 4 weeks Energy Concepts (forms of energy, units, conversions, laws of thermodynamics) Energy Consumption (history and present use, future needs)

4 Fossil Fuel Resources/Use (formation/extraction of coal, oil, natural gas, reserves, demand) Nuclear Energy (fission process, safety issues, radiation and health, wastes, nuclear fusion) Hydroelectric Power Energy Conservation (fuel efficiency, mass transit, standards) Renewable Energy (solar, biomass, wind, geothermal, tidal, hydrogen fuel cells) Reading assignments and questions Class Discussion Calculating Energy Use & Converting Units lab Albedo Activity Weather and Specific Heat lab Energy Audit activity Chernobyl video and questions Solar race car lab Harness the Wind lab Interpretation of Graphs Unit VII Pollution 5 weeks Pollution Types (air: sources, primary vs. secondary, pollutants, smog, cause/effect, temperature inversions, indoor, Clean Air Act and other laws, noise: sources and control measures, water: point vs. non-point sources, eutrophication, groundwater, Clean Water Act) Impacts on the Environment and Human Health (acute vs. chronic effects, dose response relationships, hazardous chemicals/waste, cleanup of contaminated sites, biomagnification) Economic Impacts (cost-benefit analysis, externalities, marginal costs, sustainability) Reading assignments and questions Class Discussion WQI lab Air quality analysis lab Acid Deposition lab Toxicology lab Video and questions: Weather Channel: The Fog Airborne Particulates and Ozone lab Interpretation of Graphs Unit VIII Global Change 4 weeks Stratospheric Ozone (formation of, UV radiation, causes of ozone depletion, laws/treaties) Global Warming (greenhouse gases and effect, consequences of, reducing climate change, laws/treaties) Loss of Biodiversity (6 th mass extinction, habitat loss, overuse, pollution, introduced species, endangered and extinct species, climate change, conservation, laws/treaties)

5 Reading assignments and questions Class Discussion UV Intensity and Ozone lab Video and questions: Merchants of Doubt Birds and the Bay mapping activity Ocean Acidification lab Greenhouse Effect PHET lab Interpretation of Graphs Unit IX Review and Post Exam Practice Questions and Topic Review 2 weeks End-of-Year Culminating Activities Climate Change Project & Demonstrations Article journal: Completion and submission Community Service Project: Students will submit a program, plan or design to increase environmental awareness or create/enhance a sustainable practice in their community Environmental Science Book Summary